You see this move all the time — a shooter is about to take three from in front of the opposing bench so one of the players on that bench yells to try and distract the shooter. Actually, Vinny Del Negro does that pretty often, and it’s kind of embarrassing when a coach does it, but I get why players do it.

Tony Allen never stops playing defense, even when he’s sitting on the bench — notice he is up and standing in position to distract the shooter before the pass even arrives, he’s that good — so he tried to get in Derek Fisher‘s head by yelling and waiving a towel behind him. But he didn’t mean to accidentally throw his warm-up shirt on to the court at the same time.

Fisher missed the three (he was 3-of-11 on the night from deep) but the refs correctly awarded him the three points and called a technical on Allen for the play. Kevin Durant hits the shot, it’s a four-point play. He doesn’t fight it, in fact you can tell he’s pretty embarrassed by it.

Allen can laugh about it now because the Grizzlies held on for the win and advance on to the conference finals where they likely take on the Spurs (not exactly David Stern’s dream TV matchup).

It was the right move, but as long as they didn’t delude themselves into thinking that Martin’s soft style of play was going to compensate for Harden’s attacking style, then they should not be too upset. They will be waiting for Lamb and PJIII to develop for years before they pay off those types of dividends, and by then, who knows what this team will look like.

Solid points there but the decision really boils down to Serge vs Harden. OKC didn’t want to/couldn’t pay both. They chose the big man. Why? Because mildly talented big-men are harder to find. BUT a talent like James is worth more then a mildly talented big man. When matched up against another team with very talented big men (Memphis) Serge was neutralized and his impact was mediocre at best. In the playoffs the halfcourt game is vital and Harden’s attacking style (as you pointed out) is essential to spreading the floor for Durant and co. Durant had no room, no spacing. Ibaka wasn’t even on the floor through some important stretches of the game. OKC chose wrong.

And even further, they get the cap space from Martin being a UFA this summer, so it was a solid move for the reasons (which we agreed on — I say it was the right move because you can’t just find a quality, skilled big man anywhere), but they need another wing scorer for when Durant goes to the bench.

Lamb and PJIII won’t be that (if ever) for a while. Martin’s whole game is selling contact and flopping for calls (and while Harden does the same, he actually goes to the hole when doing so).

Why does a team want cap space? To sign great players. Harden is a great player. Dwight or CP3 are not signing with OKC. So who’s the cap space for? Kyle Korver?

Furthermore cap space and potential (Lamb/PJ3) are unknown commodities. Harden was a known commodity. Serge was a known commodity. You agree with OKC on the value of Ibaka. I believe they overvalued him as well as undervalued Harden. It’ll take 5 years to play out but my money is on Houston winning that trade…. by a mile.

davidly - May 16, 2013 at 11:23 AM

I remember your post last year, Kurt, in which you aimed to dispel the idea that the NBA/Stern/referees were involved in a conspiracy to get certain teams deep into the playoffs, admitting upfront that your effort would be in vain, as it was unlikely to change any minds.

Yet, again and again, sportswriters engage, almost in unison, in continuing to spread the idea that the NBA commissioner has a dream TV matchup – an idea he has denied – and that elite players, more often than not, get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the whistle – an idea that the commish and the referees have repeatedly denied.

Hm. I’m sure that Stern just wants to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. Hehe.

Hey Kurt, in this article you say the ref “correctly” counted Fisher’s three. Is there any reference or precedent for that? Or does “correct” just mean it was the right call given the illegal, albeit accidental, nature of the play?